1. The WMO Information System (WIS)
WIS-Overview 101
23 April 2017
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Observing and Information Systems Department WMO Information System (WIS)
WMO
The WMO Information System (WIS)
I am Eliot Christian, Senior Scientific Office for the WMO Information System (WIS).
This presentation is an overview of WIS. There is a one-page handout on this topic available as well.
I will explain why WIS is required by WMO, and what are its expected benefits.
I will note how the Global Telecommunication System (GTS) serves the WMO mission in collecting and exchanging data.
We will see that WIS is being implemented in two parallel parts: WIS Part A and WIS Part B.
I will explain that there are three types of WIS Centres, with somewhat distinct roles in moving data and metadata from raw observations to delivered products.
We will also see that WIS requires a comprehensive 24-hour "cache" of data intended for global dissemination, and a comprehensive metadata catalog covering a broad range of data and information across all WMO and cooperating programmes.
I will explain how the WIS Technical Compliance Specifications define the interoperability of WIS implementations across WIS Centres.
I will also show that the WIS architecture is interoperable with the high-level architecture of major systems involving WMO.
First, we will begin with a note about the mission of WMO.
Presented by Eliot Christian Senior Scientific Officer for WIS

2. WMO: Observations, Models, Data and Information
WIS-Overview 101
WMO: Observations, Models, Data and Information
23 April 2017
The WMO mission includes facilitating scientific understanding, and the comprehensive exchange of information world wide.
Data is collected and exchanged around the clock by WMO Members: data from sixteen satellites, one hundred moored buoys, six hundred drifting buoys, three thousand aircraft, seven thousand ships, and ten thousand land-based stations.
March 2010
WIS Overview

3. Global Telecommunication System (GTS)
WIS-Overview 101
Global Telecommunication System (GTS)
23 April 2017
Exeter
Sofia
Melbourne
Buenos Aires
Tokyo
Beijing
Nairobi
Washington
Cloud I
Jeddah
Prague
Toulouse
Dakar
Algiers
Offenbach
Brasilia
Cairo
New Delhi
Moscow
Cloud II
From the beginning of WMO, timely data exchange has been crucial.
Like early telegraph and telephone systems, operators would route data messages over dedicated lines using systems dedicated to WMO. This is the WMO Global Telecommunication System (GTS), partially diagrammed here.
Now WMO is taking a step beyond managing data messages.
In committing to WIS, WMO has moved to an overarching approach based on managing the data and information.
March 2010
WIS Overview

4. Vision of WIS WMO Members decided that WIS will:
WIS-Overview 101
Vision of WIS
23 April 2017
WMO Members decided that WIS will:
Use international industry standards
Build on the Global Telecommunication System (GTS), with a smooth and coordinated transition;
Provide time-critical data exchange, as well as data access and retrieval services;
Support all WMO and related international programmes.
In 2003, the member nations of WMO decided that WIS will :
Use international industry standards for protocols, hardware and software;
Build on the existing WMO Global Telecommunication System (GTS), with special attention to a smooth and coordinated transition;
Provide time-critical data exchange, as well as data access and retrieval services;
Support all WMO and related international programmes.
March 2010
WIS Overview

5. Implementation of WIS (Cg-XV, 2007)
WIS-Overview 101
23 April 2017
Implementation of WIS (Cg-XV, 2007)
WIS is evolving in two parallel parts:
Part A: GTS continued consolidation and further improvements for data and products delivery
Time-critical and operation-critical delivery based on real-time “push” via dedicated telecommunications
Timely delivery based on delayed mode “push” via combination dedicated + public networks
Part B: extension of services through flexible data discovery, access and retrieval services, as well as flexible timely delivery
WIS is evolving in two parallel parts:
Part A: GTS continued consolidation and further improvements for data and products delivery
Time-critical and operation-critical delivery based on real-time “push” via the dedicated telecommunications network
Timely delivery based on delayed mode “push” via a combination of dedicated and public networks
Part B: extension of services through flexible data discovery, access and retrieval services, as well as flexible timely delivery
March 2010
WIS Overview

6. Types of Centres: GISCs, DCPCs, and NCs
WIS-Overview 101
23 April 2017
Types of Centres: GISCs, DCPCs, and NCs
International Organizations (IAEA, CTBTO, UNEP, FAO.. )
GAW World Data Centres
GCOS Data Centres
Global Run-off Data Centre
Global Precipitation Climatology Centre
World Radiation Centre
Regional Instrument Centres
Internet
DCPC
IRI and other climate research institutes
Universities
Regional Climate Centres NC
Internet NC
Area Meteorological Data
Communication Networks
(AMDCNs)
NC/ DCPC
NC/ DCPC
GISC NC
Commercial Service Providers NC
WIS
core network
WMO Member countries will implement and operate WIS, using existing centres with some additional or modified capabilities.
In operational terms, WIS encompasses three types of centres.
Global Information System Centres (GISCs),
Data Collection or Production Centres (DCPCs) and
National Centre (NCs)
Existing National Meteorological and Hydrological Centres become WIS NCs. Every WIS NC must supply metadata for their data and products.
DCPCs collect, disseminate, add value to, and archive regional or programme-specific data and products. DCPCs maintain catalogues of their holdings and services, and appropriate parts of these catalogues update a comprehensive catalogue of WIS holdings, hosted by the GISCs.
GISCs also hold and distribute copies of at least 24 hours of WMO data and products intended for global distribution.
GISC
GISC NC NC
DCPC
KEY:
NC = National Centres
GISC = Global Information System Centres
DCPC = Data Collection or Production Centres
Real-time "push"
On-demand "pull"
GISC
GISC
DCPC
Satellite Dissemination IGDDS, EUMETSAT, etc.
WMO World Data Centres
Internation projects (eg GMES HALO)
WMO World Data Centres
Internation projects (eg GMES HALO)
Internet
Satellite Two-Way System
Internet NC NC NC NC
March 2010
WIS Overview

7. WIS Compliance Specifications
WIS-Overview 101
WIS Compliance Specifications
23 April 2017
Existing centres within WMO Member States may apply for designation as one of the functional centres forming the core infrastructure of WIS:
Global Information System Centres (GISCs)
Data Collection or Production Centres (DCPCs)
National Centres (NCs)
Designation requires a statement of compliance with WIS requirements, compiled by the Inter-Commission Coordination Group on WIS (ICG-WIS)
The WIS Compliance Specifications document is the authoritative source for specifications applicable to WIS GISCs, DCPCs, and NCs
Existing centres within WMO Member States may apply for designation as one of the three types of WIS Centers.
So far, WMO Members have proposed 13 candidate GISC's and about 110 candidate DCPC's. The final number of designated WIS Centres will likely be over 300.
To be officially designated as a WIS Centre requires a demonstrated capability to implement the WIS Compliance Specifications There are specific procedures for having a candidate WIS Centre endorsed by WMO Expert Teams.
March 2010
WIS Overview

8. Interoperability and WIS Networking
WIS-Overview 101
23 April 2017
Interoperability and WIS Networking
Data and Product Users
National Centres (NCs)
Global Information System Centres (GISCs)
Architecturally, WIS can be viewed as a Service Oriented Architecture implemented primarily through communications networks. The WIS Compliance Specifications concern primarily network services that occur at interfaces between communicating WIS components.
By focusing on interoperability at these interfaces, WIS greatly reduces the complexity otherwise evident across the diverse systems. It also minimizes impacts on any given component system other than at its WIS interfaces. This is very important because the component systems are built and managed independently.
Here is a high‑level architectural view of the major parts of WIS. Interoperability opportunities are shown as arrows to users and among GISCs, DCPCs, and NCs.
WIS Compliance Specifications focus on the points of those arrows--the touch points where WIS components must interoperate.
Data Collection or Production Centres (DCPCs)
March 2010
WIS Overview

9. WIS and Selected WMO Observing and Data Exchange Systems
WIS-Overview 101
WIS and Selected WMO Observing and Data Exchange Systems
23 April 2017
In 2006 and 2007, WMO developed a consensus on exactly how the WIS architecture would be applied to its major systems (colred green in this diagram), and certain other systems in which WMO is a major partner (here colored yellow).
March 2010
WIS Overview

10. Global Observing System (GOS)
WIS-Overview 101
Global Observing System (GOS)
23 April 2017
Global Observing System of WWW (operated by NMHS's)
Data and Product Users
WWW Global Observing System (WWW GOS)
WMO Global Telecommunications System (GTS) and Regional
Telecommunication
Hubs (also known as WIS DCPC's)
observations (satellite and surface)
inter-comparison and validation
National Meteorological Centres (also known as WIS NC's )
WMO Information System (WIS)
WMO’s Global Observing System provides observations of the state of the atmosphere and ocean surface.
These observations are used for the preparation of weather analyses, forecasts, advisories and warnings, and for climate monitoring and environmental activities carried out under programmes of WMO and other relevant international organizations.
GOS is operated by National Meteorological Services, national or international satellite agencies, and involves several consortia.
The most common data formats in this area are GRiB (GRIdded Binary) and BUFR (Binary Universal Form for the Representation of meteorological data). In addition to these binary encoded formats, WMO uses the character encoded CREX (Character Representation for EXchange of data).
WMO's GTS is part of WIS. GTS Regional Telecommunications Hubs (WIS DCPC's) support external interfaces for data access. The National Meteorological Centres (WIS NC's) also support interoperability with external systems.
Here, some common services for data exchange are OpenDAP (Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol) and Thredds (Thematic Real-time Environmental Distributed Data Services).
WIS Global Information System Centres (GISC's)
March 2010
WIS Overview

11. World Hydrological Cycle Observing System (WHYCOS)
WIS-Overview 101
23 April 2017
World Hydrological Cycle Observing System (WHYCOS)
regional Hydrological Cycle Observing Systems (HYCOSs)
Data and Product Users
World Hydrological Cycle Observing System (WHYCOS)
National Hydrological Services (also known as WIS NC's)
Global Data Centres (also known as WIS DCPC's)
WMO Information System (WIS)
The WMO World Hydrological Cycle Observing System (WHYCOS) focuses on strengthening cooperation among National Hydrological Services, and coordinating measurement and collection of surface and ground water data, from networks of hydrological and meteorological stations.
External interfaces for data discovery, access, and retrieval include National Hydrological Services (WIS NC's), and Global Data Centres (WIS DCPC's) such as the Global Runoff Data Center.
Data holdings are available through each of the Hydrological Cycle Observing Systems that comprise WHYCOS.
Although there may be not much international standardization of hydrology data, it seems there is a growing awareness of the need for it.
Some hydrological data is being disseminated using WaterML, an XML schema created by the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science.
WIS Global Information System Centres (GISC's)
March 2010
WIS Overview

12. Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW)
WIS-Overview 101
23 April 2017
Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW)
Data and Product Users
Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW)
Observing systems contributing to GAW
World Data Centres (also known as WIS DCPC's)
National Centers (includes WIS NC's)
GAWSIS Web site
GAW Web site
WMO Information System (WIS)
The Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) strengthens the ability to predict climate, weather and air quality, by maintaining and applying global, long-term observations of the chemical composition and selected physical characteristics of the atmosphere.
External interfaces for data discovery, access, and retrieval are at the GAW Web site, and the GAW World Data Centres (WIS DCPC's):
Ozone & UV
Greenhouse Gases
Aerosols
Radiation
The Global Atmosphere Watch Station Information System (GAWSIS) is a prime focal point for data accessibility.
Pilot projects are underway on the interoperability of GAW World Data Centres and access services, including data in the format known as NetDCF (Network Common Data Form).
WIS Global Information System Centres (GISC's)
March 2010
WIS Overview

13. World Climate Programme (WCP)
WIS-Overview 101
23 April 2017
World Climate Programme (WCP)
WIS National Centres (operated by NMHS's)
Data and Product Users
World Climate Programme (WCP)
National Climate Data Management Systems
National Climate Forecast Systems
Regional Climate Centers (WIS DCPC's)
World Climate Data Centres (WIS DCPC's)
Global Climate Forecast Producing Centres (WIS DCPC's)
WMO Information System (WIS)
The World Climate Program (WCP) coordinates activities in climate data collection, monitoring, research, prediction, applications and training. WCP facilitates climate data and metadata collection through various global climate observing systems, and climate data should be available through international exchange.
WCP also assists in implementing Regional Climate Centers.
External interfaces for data discovery, access, and retrieval include:
National Meteorological Services,
Regional Climate centers,
World Climate Data Centers and
Global Climate Forecast Producing Centers.
WCP requires access to a wide variety of data in many different formats, especially given the need to deal with archived data.
WIS Global Information System Centres (GISC's)
March 2010
WIS Overview

14. Global Climate Observing System (GCOS)
WIS-Overview 101
23 April 2017
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS)
Data and Product Users
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS)
GCOS Baseline and Comprehensive Networks, and Satellites
Global Observing System Information Centre [Web portal]
GCOS and related Monitoring and Analysis Centres (includes WIS DCPC's)
Observations
Product Generation
WMO Information System (WIS)
The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) is co-sponsored by WMO, the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the International Council for Science (ICSU).
GCOS focuses on the comprehensive observations required for monitoring climate, detecting change, assessing the impacts, and improving models of the climate system.
The GCOS programme facilitates the taking of the needed observations by national or international organizations in support of their own requirements as well as of common goals.
GCOS builds on, and works in partnership with, other existing and developing observing systems such as the WMO Global Observing System and Global Atmosphere Watch, the Global Ocean Observing System, and the Global Terrestrial Observing System.
GCOS has many external interfaces that are opportunities for interoperability: the Global Observing System Information Centre, GCOS Monitoring and Analysis Centres, and the many specific Atmosphere, Ocean, and Terrestrial Networks for observations, related data centres and archives designated relevant to climate.
WIS Global Information System Centres (GISC's)
March 2010
WIS Overview

15. Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
WIS-Overview 101
23 April 2017
Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
Data and Product Users
Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
Observations
WMO Global Telecommunications System (GTS)
Product Generation
JCOMM Data Portals (also known as WIS DCPC's )
IODE Ocean Portal (also known as a WIS DCPC )
WMO Information System (WIS)
The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) focuses on sustained observations of the oceans, generation of oceanographic products and services, and interaction between research, operational, and user communities.
GOOS is designed to: monitor, understand and predict weather and climate; describe and forecast the state of the ocean, including living resources; improve management of marine and coastal ecosystems and resources; mitigate damage from natural hazards and pollution; protect life and property on coasts and at sea; and, enable scientific research.
GOOS is implemented by member states via their government agencies, navies and oceanographic research institutions, working together in a wide range of thematic panels and regional alliances.
Key external interfaces providing opportunities for interoperability are: the WMO GTS, the Joint WMO/IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) Data Portal, and the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) Ocean Data Portal.
The Ocean Data Portal includes "Ocean Teacher": an extensive set of online learning modules that include data management and metadata as well. Here, the metadata describes as course prerequisites and learning objectives. This is just one example that the WIS discovery function must deals with much more than geospatial metadata.
WIS Global Information System Centres (GISC's)
March 2010
WIS Overview

16. Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS)
WIS-Overview 101
23 April 2017
Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS)
Calibration / Validation
Terrestrial Ecosystems Monitoring Sites (TEMS)
Data and Product Users
Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS)
GTOS Data Centres Directory
Observations
GTOS Resources Directory
WMO Information System (WIS)
The Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) is a programme for observations, modelling, and analysis of terrestrial ecosystems to support sustainable development. GTOS facilitates access to information on terrestrial ecosystems so that researchers and policy makers can detect and manage global and regional environmental change.
External interfaces for data discovery, access, and retrieval include the GTOS Data Centres Directory, the GTOS Resources Directory, and the Terrestrial Ecosystems Monitoring Sites (TEMS) database.
Here I would mention the Geonetwork opensource project which is being applied broadly in this area, including the TEMS database among many others. We anticipate that many of the WIS Centres will be using Geonetwork as a portal for access to maps and other geospatial data resources.
National Centres
WIS Global Information System Centres (GISC's)
WIS Data Collection or Production Centres (DCPC's)
March 2010
WIS Overview

17. Global Earth Observations System of Systems (GEOSS)
WIS-Overview 101
23 April 2017
Global Earth Observations System of Systems (GEOSS)
Earth System Models
Global Earth Observations System of Systems (GEOSS)
Data and Product Users
Other Data Sources
GEOSS Clearinghouse
Earth Observation Systems
WMO Information System (WIS)
National Centres
WIS Global Information System Centres (GISC's)
The WIS Architecture is very similar to the GEOSS Architecture as agreed in the GEOSS 10 Year Plan and Reference Document.
The primary interface for interoperability between WIS and GEOSS occurs at the GEOSS Clearinghouse.
Because both GEOSS and WIS adopted the same ISO standard search service, WIS GISC's can search the GEOSS Clearinghouse and WIS catalogs are searchable by users of GEOSS Clearinghouse.
It is important to note that data and product users can access WIS GISC's and DCPC's either directly or by a referral from GEOSS. The same is true of all WIS Centres: broader catalogs and access portals supplement but need not replace existing catalogs or portals.
WIS Data Collection or Production Centres (DCPC's)
March 2010
WIS Overview

18. Benefits of WIS In addition to improving efficiency, WIS:
WIS-Overview 101
Benefits of WIS
23 April 2017
In addition to improving efficiency, WIS:
Enhances collection of critical data
Catalogs all WMO data and products
Enhances availability of time-critical data and products at all national centres
Opens up GTS to other types of data
Exploits technology innovation
Now I would like to close by noting what WMO Members expect to gain from WIS:
- WIS enhances the collection of critical data needed to monitor and predict aspects of the environment, including hazards
- WIS catalogs the full range of data and products, simplifying search and assuring equitable access per WMO policies
- WIS enhances the availability of time-critical data and products at centres in all nations, ensuring the effective provision of services to their populations and economies
- WIS opens up GTS to other types of environmental data so that all programmes have stronger infrastructure support
- WIS exploits opportunities as they become available with technology innovation.
March 2010
WIS Overview

19. WIS Reference Documents
WIS-Overview 101
23 April 2017
WIS Reference Documents
WIS Project & Implementation Plan (v1.1)
WIS Functional Architecture (v1.0)
WIS Compliance Specifications GISC, DCPC, NC ( v1.1)
Designation Procedures for GISCs and DCPCs
WIS/ref_docs_en.html
You can find the key reference documents about WIS at this URL.
From a technology perspective, your primary document would be the "WIS Compliance Specifications". This contains the interface specifications I have just presented, plus some more general aspects of WIS.
March 2010
WIS Overview

20. WIS-Overview 101
23 April 2017
Review of Key Points
1. Why WIS is required and what are its expected benefits 2. How the Global Telecommunication System (GTS) serves the WMO mission in collecting and exchanging data 3. Why WIS Part A and WIS Part B are implemented in parallel 4. How the three types of WIS Centres (GISC, DCPC, NC) move data and metadata from observation to product delivery
Here is a brief summary of the key points in this presentation:
1. Why WIS is required and what are its expected benefits 2. How the Global Telecommunication System (GTS) serves the WMO mission in collecting and exchanging data 3. Why WIS Part A and WIS Part B are implemented in parallel 4. How the three types of WIS Centres (GISC, DCPC, NC) move data and metadata from observation to product delivery
March 2010
WIS Overview

21. WIS-Overview 101
23 April 2017
Review of Key Points
5. Why GISCs maintain a comprehensive 24-hour "cache" of data intended for global dissemination 6. Why GISCs maintain a comprehensive metadata catalog 7. How WIS Technical Compliance Specifications define the interoperability of WIS Implementations across WIS Centres 8. Why the WIS architecture is interoperable with the high-level architecture of major systems involving WMO (e.g., GOS, WHYCOS, GAW, WCP, GCOS, GOOS, GTOS, GEOSS)
5. Why GISCs maintain a comprehensive 24-hour "cache" of data intended for global dissemination 6. Why GISCs maintain a comprehensive metadata catalog 7. How WIS Technical Compliance Specifications define the interoperability of WIS Implementations across WIS Centres 8. Why the WIS architecture is interoperable with the high-level architecture of major systems involving WMO (e.g., GOS, WHYCOS, GAW, WCP, GCOS, GOOS, GTOS, GEOSS)
This concludes my presentation, and I welcome your questions.
March 2010
WIS Overview